With Martinez’s goal in the 35th minute, Argentina led until the end of the match, but Ecuador equalized in the 92nd minute and won the penalty shootout, then Lionel Messi missed his attempt in the shootout, but the defending world champion Argentina still reached the semi-finals of the soccer Copa América.
Ecuador did not easily give victory to Argentina in the first quarter-final match of the Copa América in Houston. With Lisandro Martínez’s goal in the 35th minute, the world champion was still in the lead at the break, and at the beginning of the second half, following a handshake, Ecuador got a penalty. Enner Valencia was behind the ball, but it hit the post. The Argentines’ luck lasted until the 92nd minute, when Kevin Rodríguez, who came on as a substitute with a quarter of an hour before the end of the game, scored in Emiliano Martínez’s goal (1-1). In the last moments, Jordy Caicedo might have converted, but following a pass from Moises Caicedo, he headed wide from close range.
In the Copa América, penalty kicks immediately follow instead of extra time. Argentina started, and their first shooter, Lionel Messi, immediately made a mistake: his ball bounced off the crossbar. Ecuador might have taken the lead through Ángel Mena, but Emiliano Martínez saved the penalty. After Julián Álvarez’s goal, Alan Minda’s attempt was saved by the Argentinian goalkeeper, so despite Messi’s early mistake, the world champion led following two rounds (1-0). The following attempts were successful, Alexis Mac Allister and Gonzalo Montiel from the Argentine side, while John Yeboah and Jordy Caicedo scored from the Ecuadorian side. Nicolás Otamendi, who was the fifth Argentinian behind the ball, did not miss his penalty either, the defending champion won the penalty shootout 4-2, which allowed them to reach the semi-finals, where Messi will meet the winner of the Venezuela-Canada quarter-final.
Copa América, quarter-finals:
Argentina-Ecuador 1-1, 4-2 on penalties
The other matches:
Saturday, 3.00: Venezuela-Canada
Sunday, 0.00: Colombia-Panama
Sunday, 3.00: Uruguay-Brazil
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